FAQ: Am I allowed to make changes to direct quotes in APA Style?

Yes. You may want to make minor changes to a direct quotation. This is possible (as long as you don't change the meaning), but you must follow the rules covered in Sections 8.30–8.31 of the APA Manual. You can also refer to the Changes to Quotations This link opens in a new window page of the APA Style website to see more examples of acceptable changes to quotations.

Changes that don't require an explanation include:

• The first letter of the first word can be changed to an uppercase or lowercase letter.
• Some punctuation marks may be changed.

Changes that require an explanation include:

• If you omitted words within the quotation (to shorten the sentence or tie two sentences together), use an ellipsis. An ellipsis consists of three dots (...). For example: 
  • the student stated that "the computer lab ... was useful."
• If you want to insert your own words, or different words, into a quotation, put them in square brackets ( [ ] ). For example:
  • "The computer lab [in the science building] was well designed."
• If you want to draw attention to an error in a quotation, for example, a spelling mistake or wrong date, don't correct it; write [sic] in square brackets.
• If you want to emphasize something in a quotation that is particularly relevant to your essay put the emphasized words in italics, and state that the emphasis is your own. For example:
  • "The writing tools in Moodle was very [emphasis added] helpful!"

More Information

• APA guide (Shapiro Library)
• APA (7th Ed.) Research Paper Basics - Word 2019 (Office 365) This link opens in a new window (Hoonuit - log in using your SNHU email username and password)
• APA Blog This link opens in a new window (APA)

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.

Campus Students

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Online Students

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